Fall brings its colors and calluses

September 21, 2008

The beginning of fall is upon us. Cool and usually calmer than other seasons, it is when my mind and body and even soul seem to work at their best. Fall is our break from the summer heat and our chance to breathe easy before winter hits us in the solar plexus like a crazed boxer. I love the fall -- or autumn, if you will -- and here are some of the reasons why: -Pulling that comfortable old gray sweat shirt out of the drawer and greeting it as you would an old friend. -The first frost and the death knell of so many people's summertime allergies. -Notre Dame's Victory March resounding from campus. -The turning leaves, which is always Mother Nature at her best. -(Even though I don't do it and I know it isn't the greatest for the air quality), the pleasing smell of burning leaves in the early evening. -Just the sound of the word "autumn" as it rolls off your tongue. -The crack of shoulder pads during all those weekend football games. -Jumping into a pile of leaves with the grandkids and covering them in all those yellow, orange and red colors. -Geese in their "V" flight pattern. -A trip to the apple orchard and then that first crunch of an apple that you have just plucked off the tree. -Getting to put away the garden hoses after all that watering during the summer months to keep the grass somewhat green. -Standing around a bonfire with a couple of buddies and spinning the same yarns from years past. -Jacket weather. -The anticipation of the new television shows (even though most of them end up really stinking). -The October birthdays of some of my favorite people. -Really cool pumpkins and odd-shaped gourds, and even a stuffed scarecrow on a stick decorating our front porch and eventually awaiting trick-or-treaters. -The sweet sound of a high school marching band on a Friday night. -A bike ride through the fall foliage on a crisp, windless morning. -The demise of mosquitoes and other annoying little buggers -- although they haven't been all that bad this year, have they? -Kicking back and watching the Chicago Bears -- whether they are good or bad -- on a Sunday afternoon. -The first time since early spring you are able to see your breath again. -The baseball playoffs with some fresh faces in the mix and just maybe your own favorite team taking it all the way to the end. -My fantasy baseball team finishing in the money and allowing me to feel 10 years old again. -Pulling in the dock at the lake and smiling at the memories of all those summer outings. -A long line of cross country runners waiting for the starter's gun to set them on their journey. -Giving the air conditioner a rest and opening up the windows from time to time. -Hot apple cider with some cinnamon in it. -Family touch football games with old-man me getting to be the permanent quarterback. -Callused hands and the feel of a good rake. Bill Moor's column appears on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. E-mail him at bmoor@sbtinfo.com; write him at the South Bend Tribune, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626; or call him at (574) 235-6072.Bill MoorBill Moor is a Tribune columnist.